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Oct. 13, 1959 F. B. ALLEN STORED PRESSURE MEDIUM CONTAINER WITH DISCHARGE CONTROL 2 SheetsSheet 1 Original Filed July 19, 1954 INVENTOR 5 ,4 NK 5. A L L EN BYCQ V a F. B. ALLEN Oct. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 19, 1954 N aw H m M W rm A R 30 0 3s a fla E w M m 4 M A; |l|| 7 3 4. 4 q F I 14 i Z United States Patent Ofiice Re. 24,718 Y Reissued Oct. 13, 1959 STORED PRESSURE MEDIUM CONTAINER WITH DISCHARGE CONTROL Frank B. Allen, Towaco, NJ assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original No. 2,819,820, dated January 14, 1958, Serial No. 444,312, July 19, 1954. Application for reissue July 31, 1958, Serial No. 755,828

7 Claims. (Cl. 222) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention is a continuation-in-part of. my application Serial No. 137,847 filed January 10, 1950, now Patent No. 2,684,180, issued July 20, 1954.

The present invention relates to stored pressure medium fluid containers. with discharge control such as are used principally for pressurizing fire extinguishers or other devices containing an agent to be expelled by pressure means.

The containers are charged with a compressible fluid at a high pressure and are provided with closure means so that the fluid may be released as desired at a predetermined and controlled rate of discharge. When a container is used in a fire extinguisher it is generally necessary that ample fluid pressure be available to discharge the fire extinguishing agent in less than a minute. Furthermore, it is important that a leak-proof seal be provided for the fluid as the device, in the case of a fire extinguisher, may not be used for a year or more, but the stored fluid always must be available for instant action in the case of a fire. While seat valve closures have been provided for some containers, it has been found desirable in the smaller units to provide a disc seal.

Among the advantages of the disc seal'is that when properly made it almost always remains leak-proof. Another advantage is that the disc provides a safety outlet for the release of the fluid in the event the pressure in the container builds up to an unsafe amount such as from a high temperature. Still another advantage is that the stored fluid may be released instantly upon the rupturing of the disc by a puncturing member.

Although the disc acts as a safety valve to relieve an excessive pressure, such as may occur in the container under high temperature conditions, there is a potential hazard in that in an unsecured container the recoil of the escaping fluid may cause the container to rocket about wildly and possibly cause injury or damage. Heretofore, attempts have been made to overcome this difficulty by restricting the outlet passage by making it of small diameter or. by placing an orifice disc therein so as to limit the rate of discharge of the fluid and thus limit the recoil action. With such constructions difficulty has been found in some cases in that the charging rate is very slow, thus considerably adding to the charging and recharging costs. Also, with the prior constructions,

it is diificult to drain out any water or other material which may have entered the container either before its original charge or during the period while its disc was ruptured, but before recharge, without devalving the container. 7 v

The present invention aims to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages of prior devices by providing a container having a limited discharge rate, yet which may be rapidly charged or recharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container having a predetermined discharge rate.

of the closure fitting23.

The invention may be incorporated in containers adapted to provide a low rate of discharge such as might be used to pressurized a water extinguisher. The low rate of discharge is desirable as the water is practically non compressible and non-absorbable, thus a high discharge rate of the container would result in excessive pressurizing and stressing of the walls of the extinguisher. Various forms of the invention may be provided to take care of the various requirements.

These objects are accomplished by providing a stored pressure medium container having closure means such as a sealing disc with a fluid flow limiting member in proximity to the sealing disc and removable therewith for ease in replacement. The edge of the fluid flow limiting member may be used as the gasket for the sealing disc. In releasing the fluid from the container apuncturing member is adapted to rupture the sealing disc.

. The-invention; is advantageous in that a throwaway unit may be provided at low cost thus rendering it feasible to provide a new fluid flow limiting means with each recharge overcoming any possible difliculty which may arise to the orifice because of corrosion damage or dam age from mishandling of the units.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings which show, by way of examples, embodiments of the invention.

, In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of a water fire extinguisher incorporating a stored pressure medium fluid container made in accordance with the invention.

, Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1 illustrating in dotted lines the puncturing member at the bottom of its downward stroke.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of the closure assembly showing the outer filling grooves and the inner grooves for engagement by a tool.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the fluid passage restricting means in accordance with the invention in which the center portion is extended downwardly to provide clearance space for the puncturing member.

Figure 5 is a bottom view corresponding to Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a water fire extinguisher 10 pressurized by a stored pressure medium fluid container 11 made in accordance with the invention.

The water fire extinguisher 10 is illustrated to show a use for the stored pressure medium fluid container 11 and includes a standard shell 12 adapted to contain a fire extinguisher fluid which is charged through a filling opening14 closed by a conventional cap 15. Upon the discharge of the extinguisher the water is pressurized by fluid from the container 11 and expelled through an outlet elbow 16 and a discharge hose 17 through a suitable nozzle (not shown).

Depending from the under surface of the cap 15 is a downwardly extending tubular portion 21, having a threaded inner surface to receive upper threaded end 22 A guideway 24 is provided for a puncturing member 25 adapted to be moved downwardly under pressure being applied to its actuating cap 26. The puncturing member 25 is normally held in an upward position by a spring 27. The lower end'of the puncturing member 25 is pointed as indicated at 29 to facilitate rupturing the closure member of the container as will later appear. The cap 15 is made with a conventional handle ring 30 for the easy transportation of the extinguisher and as a handle for screwing and unscrewing the cap during the filling operation.

The stored pressure-"medium fluid container or pressure vessel 11, in accordance with-the invention, corriprises a body or container portion 31, made of any suitable material such as steel to store a fluid medium underrhigh pressure." The, upper end of the container body is made with a threaded opening 32 in which. issecured the: closure fitting: 23havingadischargefluid passage 35 extending therethrough;

As may b'erseen in' Figure 2; th'eouter end 'of the fluid passage 35 I1 is enlarged as indicate'd ati 36- and formed with an upwardly: extending sealingseat 371 The outer surface of theupper end-" oft the closure fitting 23- is threaded as indicated at '39, to be-receivedx in the down-' Wardly extendingtubular portion zl to hold the cartridge M in position with its outlet 3'6 adj'acerrtto the puncturingmemberZS-L Within the---fluid= passage 35 fthe' closure fitting 231 is:a fluid' flowdimiting member or 'orifice member '42. Also tpOSitiOIlGd' in theufluid passage 35 and injuxtaposi tion'to-the orifice member-42 -is-=a conventional sealing disc 45 adaptedto-burst under a =predeterrnined pressure within-the container 11. Screen- 43 is positioned 'in' the discharge-passage 35 below the flow limitingmember 42 to=-prevent"foreign particles from entering-into -and possiblyobstructing'the orifice 48.

of a material deformable-With respect'tO-that of thesealing disc '45 and-the sealingseat- 37 so that edge 42a of preventthe escape of the stored pressure-medium.- However, alternatively, a sealing gasket may be-usedbetween the flow limiting member 42 and the vlaveseat37. The flow liinitirig member 42. has a depending cylindrical portion 46-witharclosedend 47"of generally square sectionas maybe seen in Figure 2," or anend'47a of hemispherical section may be seen in Figure 4. An orifice 48 is preferably positioned in the=center of the closed end.

The orifice member '42 and'the closing disc 45' are held in sealingrelationshipto close 'thefluid passage 35' against the sealing seat 37 by a washer 49 secured "bya ringnutSOQ- The -1'ingnut50 is iii-threaded engagement with the wall-of theenlarged portion 36-'ofthe fluid passage and is made with at least one vertically extend-I- ing filling groove 5'1 spaced aroundits circumference. Inorderto secure the nut inposition additionalverti cally extending grooves-'52 are made. onthe inner surface ofthe -ring nut 50 and adapted to beengaged by a suitable tool which may-be turned to tighten the ring nut to provide a good seal.- In some constructions the 'washer 49 might be" omitted and-the-sealing disc held in position directly" by th'e'endofthe ring nut 50." Th'econstrum tion utilizing the washer is advantageous in providing for the production manufacture of-the ring nuts by facilitating the making therein 'of the innergrooves 52'.

The-extinguisher is actuated by inverting it and striking its cap 26 against a surface to move the puncturing member" zs 'inwardly sothat its tip '29 ruptures the" sealing-disc 45torelease-"the stored fluid pressure mediumfor-expulsion ofthe fire extinguishing fluid.

It shouldbe noted thatthefluidflow limiting member 42 is so shaped that its lower portion47 is positioned belowthe lower point'of travel ofthe tip '29 ofthe puncturing" member 25 so that cutting of the flow limiting member 42-Wil'l not occur and to-allowa clearance-spacefor theli'ps torn in cutting the sealing-disc 45." It-also should he notedthat in the unoperated positionthe punc turingtip -29 is spaced from the sealingi'disc 45 :so' that thereis nox'chanceiof"weakeningor"accidental rupture of the sealingtdisc under conditions of vibratiorror jarring;

Byreason of ithe incompressibility ofthewater, and for Y all ."practical purposes; the the stored fluid 'pressurezmedium, it isimportant that the pressuremediurn bezreleased at a slow'rate through the orificez48 otherwise the shell lzqwouldberpressurized to an extent which-mightcause' isevere stressing -,of,the walls non-solubility; therein: of"

, 4 thereof. Furthermore, without the orifice member an excessive-pressurewould result in the'production of-an excessively strong stream of extinguishing fluid at the start which would lessen during the period of effective discharge producing an unsatisfactory result.

In the event the stored pressure medium fluid container lliis/subjectedxto excessive temperatures such as might result in the case'offire resulting in a terrific increase in.itsninternalupressure, the sealing disc 45 is adapted torupture at a predetermined pressure below the bursting pressure of the walls of'thecontainer 11. However, by reason of the restriction of the orifice 4 8 of' the' fluid flow" limiting member 42, the discharge rate ofthe container llwillbe at a predetermined safe rate so that the recoil will not be sufficient to cause the container to rocket andpossibly-cause damage to persons or property.

In, order tofa'cilitatethe assembly of a container in accordancewith the invention, a unitary pre-assemble'd unit may be made of, the ring nut 50, the washer 49, the.

sealing disc 45, and the fluid passage restricting means or orifice member42l In this case, the lower end of the ring nut 50 shouldbemadeextended' to receive the parts which are then secured in position by spinning in-the end as indicated at '54;

In-refi1ling--the container =11'it is preferred that a new unitarygassembly-beused 'each'time' in order to assure that the orificemember will be free from dirt, corrosion or the like. The container is refilled by connecting it'toa sourceoffliiid pressurewiththe ring nut 50loosened. A

filling passage-isthusprovidedthrough the vertically ex-- tendingfilling'grooves 51- acrossthe sealing seat 3-7' into the-interior"of-'the container. The ring nut 50' is then tightened 'to seal thecontainer.

It isthus apparent that 'the present invention provides a storedfluid'pressuremedium container overcoming the diflicultiesand disadvantages of-prior devices by providing a container having a'linn'ted discharge rate which may be readily'charged or recharged.

While theinvention' has-been described and illustrated with'reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that otherembodiments may be resorted to-- without" departing from the invention. For example, while" the'orificehas been' described and" illustrated as beingthecenterof the fluid'flow restricting member itis obvious"that'ifimay" be'located in any part thereof providin'ga fluid flow. Furthermore, while theinvention has heen'illustratedanddescribed as'applicable to a container having"asealingfdisdclosure member, it is apparent that the constructionalsomight "be applied to containers having a seat type'cl'osurewalveutilizing the herein described I constructionto'provide'alimited-discharge rate to avoid reooitdifliculties: Therefore, the form of the invention set 'out' aboveishould beconsidered' as illustrative and not as limiting the scope ofth'e followingclaims.

l'elaimz 1. A .readilyf'chargeable stored high pressure medium containenfor usewith a separable discharge device in-- cludi'ng a reciprocable puncturing member, the puncturing member having a predetermined. length of stroke and normallymainta'in'ed in an upwardpositionaway from contact with the container, outletmeans for the container torminga'passag'e into the container, an'outwardlyturned sealihgseat abouttthe passage; a closureassembly for"the outlet means including an axially slotted'sealing disc nut threadedly engaged in the closure assembly, a sealing hold the normal pressure in' disc at leastbf'a strength to the-container and rupturable by a'puncturing member, a flow limiting member having an orifice therein and of 'a strength' to hold the pressure in thecontainer while the container islb'eing dischargedthroughthe orifice, means spacingthe portions of the sealing disc and flow limiting" member along the centenline of the puncturing member a distance greater than the length'oftravel of the puncturing membenso th'atLupon a strokeiof 'the'punctunng a member the flow limiting member is free from contact with the puncturing member, and means securing the sealing disc and the flow limiting member with the sealing disc nut in a unitary assembly, whereby upon the retraction of the sealing disc nut away from the sealing seat an unobstructed filling passage is provided through an axial slot of the sealing disc nut past the seat into the container.

2. A readily chargeable stored high pressure medium container for use with a separable discharge device including a reciprocable puncturing member, the puncturing member having a predetermined length of stroke and normally maintained in an upward position away from contact with the container, outlet means for the container forming a passage into the container, an outwardly turned sealing seat about the passage, a closure assembly for the outlet means including an axially slotted sealing disc nut threadedly engaged in the closure assembly, a sealing disc at least of a strength to hold the normal pressure in the container and rupturable by a puncturing member, a cylindrically walled downwardly depending closed end flow limiting member having an orifice therein and of a strength to hold the pressure in the container while the container is being discharged through the orifice, a flanged top edge for the flow limiting member, the cylindrical wall of the flow limiting member spacing the flow limiting member end from the sealing disc along the center line of the puncturing member a distance greater than the length of travel of the puncturing member so that upon a stroke of the puncturing member the flow limiting member is free from contact with the end of the puncturing member, and means securing the sealing disc and the flow limiting member with the sealing disc nut in a unitary assembly, whereby upon the retraction of the sealing disc nut away from the sealing seat an unobstructed filling passage is provided through an axial slot of the sealing disc nut past the seat into the container.

3. A readily chargeable stored high pressure medium container for use with a separable discharge device including a reciprocable puncturing member, the puncturing member having a predetermined length of stroke and normally maintained in an upward position away from contact with the container, outlet means for the container forming a passage into the container, an outwardly turned sealing seat about the passage, a closure assembly for the outlet means including an axially slotted sealing disc nut threadedly engaged in the closure assembly, a sealing disc at least of a strength to hold the normal pressure in the container and rupturable by a puncturing member, a flow limiting member having an orifice therein and of a strength to hold the pressure in the container while the container is being discharged through the orifice, means spacing the portions of the sealing disc and flow limiting member along the center line of the puncturing member a distance greater than the length of travel of the puncturing member so that upon a stroke of the puncturing member the flow limiting member is free from contact with the puncturing member, and a turned in end for the sealing disc nut securing the sealing disc and the flow limiting member with the sealing disc nut body in a unitary assembly, whereby upon the retraction of the sealing disc nut away from the sealing seat an unobstructed filling passage is provided through an axial slot of the sealing disc nut past the seat into the container.

4. A readily chargeable stored high pressure medium container for use with a separable discharge device including a reciprocable puncturing member, the puncturing member having a predetermined length of stroke and normally maintained in an upward position away from contact with the container, outlet means for the container forming a passage into the container, an outwardly turned sealing seat about the passage, a closure assembly for the outlet means including an axially slotted sealing disc nut threadedly engaged in the closure assembly, a sealing disc at least of a strength "to hold the normal pressure in the container and rupturable by a puncturing member, a cylindrically walled downwardly depending closed end flow limiting member having an orifice therein and of a strength to hold the pressure in the container while the container isbeing discharge through the orifice, a flanged top edge for the flow limiting member, the cylindrical wall of the flow limiting member spacing the flow limiting member end from the sealing disc along the center line of the puncturing member a distance greater than the length of travel of the puncturing member so that upon a stroke of the puncturing member the flow limiting member is free from contact with the end of the puncturing member, and a turned in end for the sealing disc nut securing the sealing disc and the flow limiting member with the sealing disc nut body in a unitary assembly, whereby upon the retraction of the sealing disc nut away from the sealing seat an unobstructed filling passage is provided through an axial slot of the sealing disc nut past the seat into the container.

5. A readily chargeable stored high pressure medium container for use with a separable discharge device including a reciprocable puncturing member, the puncturing member having a predetermined length of stroke and normally maintained in an upward position away from contact with the container, outlet means for the container forming a passage into the container, an outwardly turned sealing seat of a predetermined diameter about the passage, a closure assembly for the outlet means including an axially slotted sealing disc nut threadedly engaged in the closure assembly, means forming a recess in the lower end of the sealing disc nut, a gasket for the recess, a sealing disc at least of a strength to hold the normal pressure in the container and rupturable by a puncturing member, a cylindrically walled downwardly depending closed end flow limiting member having an orifice therein and of a strength to hold the pressure in the container while the container is being discharged through the orifice, a flanged top edge for the fiow limiting member, the cylindrical wall of the flow limiting member spacing the flow limiting member end from the sealing disc along the center line of the puncturing member a distance greater than the length of travel of the puncturing member so that upon a stroke of the puncturing member the flow limiting member is free from contact with the end of the puncturing member, and a turned in end for the sealing disc nut of a diameter larger than the diameter of the seat, the turned in end securing the sealing disc between the gasket and the flow limiting member with the sealing disc nut body in a unitary assembly, the flange of the flow limiting member normally adapted to contact the seat in sealing relationship, whereby upon the retraction of the sealing disc nu't away from the sealing seat an unobstructed filling passage is provided through an axial slot of the sealing disc nut past the seat into the container.

6. A sub assembly closure for a readily chargeable V stored high pressure medium for use with a separable dis charge device including a reciprocable puncturing member having a predetermined length of stroke and normally maintained in an upward position away from contact with the container, the closure comprising an axially slotted ring nut with a recess in its lower end, a [gasket] washer in the recess, a sealing disc, a cylindrically walled downwardly depending closed end flow limiting member having an orifice therein, a flanged top edge for the cylindrical Wall of the flow limiting member, the cylindrical Wall of the flow limiting member spacing its end from the sealing disc a greater distance than the length of travel of the puncturing member so that the flow limiting member end is free from contact with the puncturing member at the lower end of its stroke, and a turned in end for the sealing disc nut securing the sealing disc between the [gasket] washer and the flanged top edge of the flow limiting member in a unitary assembly.

7. A sub assembly closure for the outlet a readily chargeable stored high pressure medium cartridge for use with a separable discharge device including a reciprocable puncturing member having a predetermined length of strokeand normally maintained an upwardposition away, from "c0nta ct with the container, .the' c lasure com-- prisingan axially slatted ring nut with a threaded'buter surfaceadaptedltot engage. in theoutlet ofvth'e cartridge,

asealingdisc, acylindrically walled downwardlyldepend ingclosed end flow limiting member having an open orifice therein a flanged top edge for the cylindrical wall af-the flow limiting membenthe cylindrical wall ofv the flow limiting member spacingits end from the sealing. disc a greater distance than the length 0f travel of the-puncturingmember so that theflow limiting member end is. free from contact withthev puncturing memberat'the lower,

end of, its'stroke, andwa turned in end f0r the sealingdisc nut securing'the. sealing'disc and the flanged top edge a the flow limiting member in a unitary assembly, where 15 byvuponan up ward movementoft the slatted ringnut for s the V purpose of fillingTsaid cartridge the flanged top edge of 'the flow limitingmemb'e'r is moved therewith, thereby providing aclear filling, passage through said slatted-portion offthe ring nut into the cartridge.

References iCited; ill-"thfi file 'ofithis patent or the origi'nalpatent V UNITED' STATES PATENTS" 640,207: Kqrrodi Jan. 2, 1900. 1,015,987 Bijur et a1. ..June 30, 1912 2,610,693; Allen Sept. 16, 1952 2,682,961 Hilll' July 6, 1954 2,741,319 Mickelsen Apr. 10, 1956 FOREIGN= PATENTS 583,437 France" Get. 30, 1924' 

